AIDS.
In their small county, for a rural family with a still-parochial worldview, the diagnosis wasn't just a disease. It meant a 'filthy illness,' a 'death sentence.' It signified the social death of their entire family.
Director Lin Guorui sighed and said nothing.
At this moment, any words of comfort would have seemed hollow and powerless.
Back in the doctors' office, the atmosphere was just as heavy.
"Since it's confirmed, let's just follow procedure." Lin Guorui forced himself to rally his spirits and lead the case discussion. "First, we need to contact the CDC, file the infectious disease report, and coordinate the free antiviral drugs (HAART therapy)."
"As for the child's current cryptococcal meningitis, it's a complication with an extremely high mortality rate. We have to immediately start a combined antifungal treatment of amphotericin B plus flucytosine."
